push the door open. I’m both relieved and disappointed he’s not here either. I’m ready to close the door when I notice a sheet of paper on the bed.
Curiosity gets the better of me, so of course I go and pick it up. What’s one more bad idea?
I read the title, and I’m momentarily transported back to simpler times when I hadn’t messed up my life yet.
The Happy List.
The feeling of déjà vu is strong. Jesus. Is this one of those things where life gives you a do-over? Should I drop the list and escape this room immediately?
Well, if this is my second chance, I fail immediately because I’m already reading the list.
My gaze flies over the title once more. I’m greeted by the same neat cursive as the first time. But as I go lower, I realize something.
At a first glance, it looks like a copy of Gray’s previous happy list, but it becomes clear pretty quickly that it’s not exactly true. Gray seems to have updated this one a bit.
There are several items that have ticks after them.
Have more fun
Take a risk
Take a road trip
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Some have additional comments written after them.
Do something crazy – ongoing project
Make a complete fool of yourself – I don’t see why not
Find a hobby – hockey! Ha. Done.
Get a massage – only when it has a happy ending
My heart is beating like crazy when my eyes move lower. I swear to God if the one-night stand one has a tick after it, I will lose it.
Instead, it’s crossed out without any ticks or comments. I stare at it. Does that mean it’s done? Not done? Replaced with something else? Is Gray out right now looking to score? What the hell does it mean? I feel sick.
Do something sexually adventurous and have a fucking fantastic orgasm both have ticks, which clears up absolutely nothing.
Frustrated, I turn the sheet over. Don’t know what I’m expecting. An essay to clear things up, maybe? Instead, I get a surprise. The list continues on the other side.
I start reading and nearly swallow my tongue after the first few words.
Convince Kai to stay
That’s… that’s a new thing. I would know if that had been in the last list. My eyes move lower, taking in Gray’s words. I have to read the next few items several times to make sure I’m not seeing things.
Make my room our room
Go on a real date with Kai
Introduce Kai as my boyfriend to everybody we know
Ask Kai to be my boyfriend (note to self, reverse the order of those two things, otherwise might come off as creepy)
I laugh as I read the remark, tears swelling in the corners of my eyes. The more I read, the less I can breathe.
Make Kai happy
Wake up in Kai’s arms every day for the rest of my life
Fall in love with Kai
I read through those last five words over and over again. My hands are shaking so badly that I can barely see the words anymore, and my heart is beating like a jackhammer because that last line? It has a big, fat, wonderful tick after it.
I stare at the list for the longest time. My thoughts are all in a messy jumble. The only thing that is clear as day in my mind is that I need Gray. I need to find out if what this new happy list says is true.
I start to fold the paper, but then I reconsider and carefully place it on the bed instead. I wouldn’t want to wrinkle the paper because we’re definitely framing that sucker.
“Hey.”
I whirl around at the sound of Gray’s voice from the doorway. He’s leaning against the doorframe, looking sexy and a bit nervous and gorgeous and fantastic and… in love. My heart skips a beat as I look at him.
“I was starting to think you were trying to find a way to climb out the window,” he says.
“I thought that was your specialty,” I say in a weak voice.
Gray chuckles and flicks his gaze toward the bed.
“I see you found my list.”
“I did.” I swallow hard. “Is there a reason why you left it lying around like that?”
He straightens himself and takes a step closer.
“I was thinking that you were so enthusiastic about my last list that maybe you’d want to help me with this one, too?”
My heart starts beating even faster, as I hungrily take in the sight of Gray in his casual sweatpants and T-shirt.
“I don’t know if I’ll be of much